Sprinkler and valve



Jan. 19, 1965 W. J. STITT, SR, ETAL SPRINKLER AND VALVE Filed Oct. 28, 1963 INVENTORS WlLLIAM J. STIT'RSR. WILLIAM J STITT JR;

THOMAS F. JAMES ATTORNEYS United States Patent ()fiice 3,166,251 Patented Jan. 19, 1965 3,166,251 SPRINKLER AND VALVE William J. Sh'tt, Sr., Rte. 8, Box 1219, and William J. Stitt, .lr., Rte. 8, Box 1221, both of Sacramento, Califl, ghemas F. James, Rte. 1, Box 207, Pleasant Grove, 1

Filed Oct. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 319,360 4 Claims. (Cl. 239-583) Our invention relates to means particularly designed for installation on motorized tank trucks and for use not only in allaying dust but particularly in the building of highways and the like wherein fill of a particular moisture content is required for compaction. In connection with compaction, Water tank trucks are operated over the fill material and an amount of water is added from the trucks prior to compaction so that the moisture content will be accepted limits. This requires a relatively close and accurate control of the rate of water efllux from the truck as well as a positive shut-01f of the water supply when desired. Since relatively large volumes of water are involved and must be handled at relatively high pressures, so that the discharge can be over extended areas, there has heretofore been a problem in connection with the control and shut-off valve, as well as the arrangement of the sprinkler itself.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide a sprinkler and valve which is well adapted for the service described.

Another object of the invention is in general to provide an improved sprinkler and valve.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler and valve which can readily be operated by a remote attendant, yet which will close quickly when desired, will open fully when desired, and can be accurately regulated to afford intermediate volumes of flow when desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a simple, rugged, economical and service-free sprinkler and valve arrangement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler and valve in which the parts subject to adjustment and wear are readily replaced even in the field by unskilled labor and at low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler and valve which can readily be applied to and operated by the forces normally available on a tank truck.

Other objects together with the foregoing are attained in the embodiment of the invention described in the accompanying description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

The figure is principally a cross section on a vertical transverse plane through a sprinkler and valve constructed in accordance with the invention.

While the sprinkler and valve pursuant to the invention can be incorporated in a number of different ways, there has been successful use in substantially the form shown and described herein. A usual installation is on an automotive tank truck having a supply pipe 6 of substantial diameter and capable of carrying sprinkling fluid, usually water, sometimes treated with additives, and available in considerable volume and pumped or otherwise available at a relatively high pressure. Pursuant to the invention, the supply pipe 6 extends to a T 7 having an upper threaded opening 8. This is normally closed by a removable pipe plug 9 formed with an interior dome and threaded to fit the T. The T also has a lower collar 11 having internal threads 12 in the customary fashion.

Arranged for disposition adjacent the collar 11 is a tubular frame 13. This can easily be fabricated of a section of standard pipe arranged with threads 14 at its upper end. The pipe or tubular frame 13 does not directly engage the T collar 11. Rather, there is provided an intervening bushing 16. Internal threads 17 on the bushing are interengaged with the threads 14. External threads 18 on the bushing are interengaged with the threads 12. A portion 19 of the bushing serves for tool engagement as a means of rotating the bushing within the collar 11. The bushing can be rotated into and out of a set position and the tubular frame 13 can be rotated and thus axially moved so as to be disposed at any desired position along its axis relative to the collar 11.

Preferably, the tubular frame 13 at its lower end is cut off transversely and is abutted against a sprinkler plate 21. This extends across or spans the tubular frame 13 as a closure and in addition projects laterally to afiord a sprinkler deflector 22. The lower end of the tubular frame 13, particularly around one circumferential portion thereof and adjacent the upper surface of the plate 21, is a cut-away to provide a boundary portion 23 in part defining a sprinkler orifice 24. The orifice has an extent and contour to establish the desired sprinkling pattern in connection with the contour and plan configuration of the deflector 22. Conveniently, the plate 21 is secured by a light weld 26 to the tubular frame 13. By cutting the weld 26 and welding on a different plate 21 of different plan configuration, the sprinkling pattern can be changed.

Abutting the plate 21 on the under side thereof is a duplex housing 31. This includes a main enclosure 32 and -a relatively light cap 33 appropriately fashioned together by through bolts 34 and nuts in such a way as to clamp a transverse flexible diaphragm 36 in place. The diaphragm divides the interior of the duplex housing into an upper compartment 37 and a lower compartmerit 38.

Adapted to abut the diaphragm 36 is one end of a stem 41. Preferably, the stem 41 carries a substantial enlargement 42 in order to reduce the unit pressure against the diaphragm. The stem 41 is substantially coaxial with the surrounding parts and extends through the compartrnent 37 and emerges from the housing 31. The stem is guided in a sleeve 43 forming part of the upper enclosure 32. Friction is reduced by a bushing 44 of antifriction material. The stem 41 emerges from the enclosure 32, passes through an opening 46 in the sprinkler plate 21 and extends into and through the tubular frame 13. The upper end of the stem is provided with an extensive threaded portion 47.

A sphere 48 or ball of an elastomeric material such as rubber or a rubber compound is reversibly mounted on the portion 47. The ball is related to the stem by means of positioning nuts 49 and 51 and intervening washers 52 and 53 so that the ball can be axially located as desired on the stem. If the nuts are somewhat loose, the ball can rotate slightly in use to distribute wear. The ball itself is of sufficient diameter so as to rest or abut in one extreme position against a seat 56 at the upper inner portion of the bushing 16. Although it is not essential, it is preferred that the seat be an applied layer 57 of material resistant to wear and abrasion.

In accordance with the invention, the cover 33 is provided with a nipple 61 to which is attached a fitting 62 at the end of a compressed air hose 63 extending from any suitable operator-controlled or variable source of air under super-atmospheric pressure. When pressure is admitted to the compartment 38, the diaphragment 36 is displaced in a generally upward direction and lifts the enlarged head 42 and the stem 41. The rising stem also carries the closure ball 48 with it and lifts the ball into an open position so that flow from the pipe 6 can occur v3 through the T and downwardly through the bushing 16 and the tubular frame 13. Water then escapes through the opening 24 to the outside. The ball is held in an I open position so long as air undenpressure is within the COI11P3I1II16I11138.

When compressed air is released from the compartment 38, the ball is returned toward'its initial closed posi 'tion'partly by Bernoullieffeot and water pressure differential and'partly by the influence of a pair of helical springs 64 and 66. 'These are coaxially disposed within the compartment 37 and act against the enlarged 'head 42 in a vdirection to close the ball. After the closing forces have been permitted to act and the ball has approached its seat closely, the unbalanced pressure on the ball 'holds the ball tightly closed. 'In fact, the ball can be deformed against its seat-56 by the water pressure above it. Should there be no water, the springs alone are ,sufiicient.

By appropriately rotating the tubular frame 13 initially and by appropriately positioning the lock nuts 49 and 51, the ball 48 can be positioned with respect to the seat so that a tight closure is effected when the diaphragm 36 is substantially in its lowermost position, as shown.

However, the ball can be moved axially on the stern and the tubular frame can be axially adjusted in the bushing in such a way that the effective length of the spnings '64 and 66 can be altered to afford more orless closing pressure upon the stem and so the ball. The tubular frame can be partly rotated to change the direction of sprinkling without significantchange in axialadjustment.

In the operation of this device, the attendant manipulates the valve controlling the supply of air under pressure to the chamber 38 in such a fashion as to force the ball 48 to move upwardly against water pressure when the sprinkling operation is to commence. lf the water pressure is of the order of 100 p.s.i., the force required is in the neighborhood of a half ton in usual valve sizes. The flowingwater discharges as controlled by the exact position of the ball. This inturn varies with the amount of air pressure permitted to exist within the compartment 38. Thus the valve can be carefully regulated in position to afford the desired amount and spread of sprinkling operation. The ball can be fully opened with appropriate air pressure in the compartment '38. When the pressure within the compartment 38 is reduced to atmospheric pressure or substantially so, the springs 64 and 66 together with the difierential pressure of the flowing water (if any) are effective to restore the ball to its closed and tight position, thereby affording a sharp cutoff of the sprinkling operation. Should any water leak into the compartment 37, his readily discharged to the atmosphere through drain openings '68,

What is claimed is: I

1. A sprinkler and valve comprising a threaded tubular frame, an annular seat threaded on one end of said frame, means for mounting said seat in a supply conduit, a deflector plate spanning-the other end of said frame, means defining a lateral orifice between said other end of said frame and said plate, a duplex housing secured to said plate, a flexible diaphragm extending across said housing and dividing said housing into two compartments, a stem abutting said diaphragm and extending through one of said compartments and through said plate into the interior of said 'frame, an elastomeric ball mounted on said stem and adapted to abut said seat, means for admitting pressure fluid to one of said compartments to move said diaphragm together with said stem and said ball in an unseating direction, a spring in the other of said-compartments and abutting said stem to urge said stem in the opposite direction, and means in said other of said compartments forming openings therefrom to the atmosphere.

2. A sprinkler and valve as in claim 1 in which said ball is symmetrical about an opening extending therethrough whereby said ballis reversible on said stem.

3. A sprinkler and valve as in claim 1 in which said stem is threaded and is provided with adjusting means engaging said ball on opposite sides thereof.

4. A sprinkler and valve comprising a T, a supply conduit connected to one branch of said T, a plug closing an adjacent branch of said T, a bushing having an annular seat thereon connected to a branch of said T opposite said plug, a tubular frame threaded at one end and connected to said'bushing, a deflector plate spanning the other-end of said tubular frame, means defining an orifice in said tubular frame adjacent said deflector plate, an elastomeric ball movable within said T 'toward and away from said seat, a stem engaging said ball and extending'through said tubular frame and said deflector plate, and apneurnatic actuator mounted .on said deflector plate and engaging said stem.

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 476,187 Collins May 31, 1892 528,431 Herbkesmann -Oct. '30, 1894 1,109,021 Southworth et al. 'Sept. 1, 1914 1,156,327 Stiers Oct. 12, 1915 1,274,269 Hulfer July 30, 1918 1,290,393 Starmanns Jan. 7, 1919 2,509,597 Hamilton May 30, 1950 2,589,346 Frees 'Mar. 18, 1952 3,089,651 Skerritt May 14, 1963 3,100,083 Wardrup Aug. 6, 1963 

4. A SPRINKLE AND VALVE COMPRISING A T, A SUPPLY CONDUIT CONNECTED TO ONE BRANCH OF SAID T, A PLUG CLOSING AN ADJACENT BRANCH OF SAID T, A BUSHING HAVING AN ANNULAR SEAT THEREON CONNECTED TO A BRANCH OF SAID AT OPPOPSITE SAID PLUG, A TUBULAR FLANGE THREADED AT ONE END AND CONNECTED TO SAID BUSHING, A DEFLECTOR PLATE SPANNING THE OTHER END OF SAID TUBULAR FRAME, MEANS DEFINING AN ORIFICE IN SAID TUBULAR FRAME ADJACENT SAID DETECTOR PLATE, AN ELASTOMERIC BALL MOVABLE WITHIN SAID T TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID SEAT, A STEM ENGAGING SAID BALL AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID TUBULAR FRAME AND SAID DEFLECTOR PLATE, SAID A PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR MOUNTED ON SAID DEFLECTOR PLATE AND ENGAGING SAID STEM. 